Oxygen regulator



Nov. 12, 1940. D. P. JOHNSON 2,220,905

' o xYGEN REGULATOR Filed on. so, 19:57 2 sheets-sheet 1 N N y Nov. 12, 1940. D. P. JoHNsoN OXYGEN REGULATOR Filed Oct. 30, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 PatentedNov. 12, 1,940l

UNITED NSTATES OXYGEN REGULATOR-- Daniel P. Johnson, Washington, D. C.

Applicationr October 30, 1937, Serial No.' lll-1,897

14 Claims.

(Granteaunaer the wt of March s, isss, n

' amended Aprn so, 192s; 31o o. G. '157) The present invention relates to fluid regurlators and more particularly to oxyzen regulators for use on aircraft, for supplying oxygen to the cabin or to' a mask worn by the pilot or passengers. o

In supplying oxygen to a consuming device on aircraft, itis desirable -that the quantity supplied be varied in accordance with changes in altitude. For example, at'higher altitudes the quantity of i oxygen available in the air decreases andit is particularly desirable that the oxygen supply be increased with an increase in altitude.

In devices of the prior art it has been the vpractice to utilize means actuated by changes in i pressure with changes 'in altitude to .control means which'in turn control the supply of oxygen. These devices have been complicated and have also fallen short of the desirable standard `which requires that the quantityl of oxygen supy plied be a linear function of the pressure.

It is, therefore, one of the objects of the Vpresent invention to provide a novel regulator wherein these undesirable conditions are eliminated.

A further object is to provide a novel oxygen i regulator which shall eliminate the use of altitude actuated elements and which shall directly control the ow of oxygen.v

' Still another -object is to provide a novel oxygen regulator wherein a linear relation between the pressure of the atmosphere. and the quantity of oxygen supplied is continuously maintained.

- A still further object is to provide a novel oxygen regulator, wherein the quantity of oxygen is automatically regulated in accordance with i changes in pressure on changesin altitude by only a single element composed of porous mate-` tion only and are-not designed as a denition of the limits ofthe. invention, reference being had for this purpose to the appended claims.

In the drawings wherein like reference characi ters refer `to like parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a graph illustrating theI manner ofl change inthe flow of a duid through a porous plug of the present invention, with changes in pressure;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, in section, ofone-einbodiment of the invention; -and y Fig. 3 is a side elevation, in section, illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings and more partcu- 5 larly to Fig. 1, A represents a curve illustrating the theoretical flowof a iluid through a porous plug of the invention, B represents the actual ilow plotted with respectl to the same scale 'as curve A, and C illustrates the permissible limit of 10 variation of ow at the points where these lines cross the curve A., In order to better comprehend the operation of the device of the present invention it is deemed best to present a'theoretical explanation of the principles involved`15. a

therein. 4 f In carrying out theA objects of the present invention, a porous plug composed of "Kapox or rock wool felted against a screen may be utilized. Other naturally porous materials cank be 2o" used, an example of which is Alundum which p capillaries in parallel, the equation governing the ilow in such a device may be put into the form:f

`(1) ripiap2=KiF Where ri and p1 are the density and pressure respectively of the gas at one side of the porous element, and ra and p2 are the density and pressure respectively on the other Vside thereof, F is the ilow measured under standard conditions and 4o VK is a constant proportional to the viscosity of the gas and inversely proportional tothe porosity Assuming an isothermal ow, Equation 1 becomes: p 45 2) p12-p22=KF Referring to Fig. 1, theY curve designated by A was computed from Equation 2 for air, at ay value of p1=42.5 cm. of Hg and Kfl.

The observed points B indicate the values of ilowgof air through an Alundum plug when the pressure at one side thereof'was maintained at 42.5 cm. of Hg,`a.nd the pressure on the other side was reduced to simulate the reduced 4pres- 55 sures'o'f the atmosphere as the altitude increases.

The observed points are seen to approximate very a given pressure drop across it, the flowof gas was found'to vary inversely as the coeicient of viscosity. The behavior of oxygen, for example, is similar to that of air, varying only by a constant factor. Assuming a pressure of 30.5 cm.

of Hg, the flow of air is seen from curve A to be ten liters per minute. With the viscosity of oxygen at 0.00020 and that of air at 0.00018 the flow of oxygen at 30.5 cm. of Hg Would be or nine liters per minute,A iGiven the curve of flow of air, that of oxygewunder the same conditions can be readily computed and vice versa.'

In Fig. l, the permissible limits of `oxygen flow variations changed in proportion to the ratio of -the viscosities of oxygen and air are shown at C and it is, therefore, apparent that the flow` through the porous plug is well within the limits of tolerance under present specifications for oxygen regulators used by the Army and Navy Air Services, Y

In Fig. 2 is illustrated one novel form of the present invention embodying the principle of Fig. 1. Referring `to Fig, 2, I0 indicates a casing into which projects a pipe II leading from a source of oxygen such as a tank under pressure (not shown), controlled by a valve I2 and emitted at nozzle I3 providing a base for a'valve closure I4 mounted at one end of lever I5 pivoted at I6.

Pivotally attached to said lever intermediate its ends as at I'I\is an evacuated diaphragm or aneroid I8 which is highly sensitive to changes of pressure within the casing I0. The spring I9 is connected to the other end-.of said lever at I9a and may -be adjusted sothat it just balances the force `of the diaphragm I8 at a pressure within the casing equal to thatat an 20 is a porous element 2| through which theV or other oxygen consuming devices.

altitude of 15,000 feet. Secured within brackets oxygen passes to pipe 22 controlled by valve 23 leading to the mask, aircraft compartment A. relief valve 24 controls the opening 25, whereby the pressures in the casing I0 cannot rise above ay certain pressure chosen as a limit of safety.

The operation of the device is as follows: Oxygen enters the interior of casing I0 by means of pipe II, control valve I2 and nozzle I3 when I valve I4 is moved from said nozzle. AThe device may be so adjusted that when the pressure ed diaphragm I8 and the spring I9 just balance lever I5 and valve I4 closes nozzle I3. Uponl y-a reduction in pressure, spring I9 will move le ing I0 isthereby maintained constant. If the external pressure or the pressure of the atmos- `phere fallsk below that corresponding to 15,000

feet of altitude, there will be a flow of `oxygen through plug 2l. The lower the external pressure the greater the ow and the oxygen is therefore fed to the consuming device at a rate proporaeaaoos tional to the increase in altitude. While the relationship of the ow of oxygen to the changes in pressure with changes in altitude is not a` perfectly linear one, yet theow is substantially linear down to the pressure at which the density of oxygen is too low for the user to obtain a suilicien amount even though .pure oxygen be used.

In deriving Equation 2, it is assumed that the expansion of the gas in the plug was isothermal. Since the conductivity of the interior of the plug Ais not large, the ow more nearly approaches that obtained on the basis of an adiabatic expansion. y

In the case of the simple regulator, the same iiow will be obtained under either isothermal or adiabatic conditions at pressures near the opening point of the valve, while the flow at an external pressure of 18 cm. of Hg will be ten percent greater with adiabatic than with isothermal. The great simplicity and ease of operation of the device of Fig. 2 more than offsets this variance which, however, is stillwithin the limits of variation'and 'which` can be further reduced-by a proper chpice of ,the constant K.

In Fig. 3 is illustrated another embodiment of the present invention in which true linearity between flow and pressure is obtained.

Designating vthe pressure in chamber 26 of casing I8 as p1 and the pressure in outlet chamber 36 as p2, if thel reducing valve be made to close when the sum of the chamber and outlet chamber pressures exceeds a fixed value, then a linear flow may be obtained.

Assuming that po is the pressure at which the device begins `to function, if

Elimination of p1 between this equation and Equation 2 gives (3) 49Min-p2) :KF

wherein the ow is a linear function p of the external pressure pz when po is maintained constant.

Referring to Fig. 3; leading into ychamber 26 is the pipe II controlled by valve I2 leading to nozzle I3 and controlled by valve I4 as set forth hereinbefore in the vdescription of Fig. 2.

VValve I4 is mounted on lever 21 for actuation about pivot 21a by means of spring 28. Lever 29, mounted on pivot 30 carries adjustable screw 3| at one end thereof for abutting against a lever 21 to actuate-the same against the resistsiliently urged to expanded position by spring- 34. Arm 35 pivotally connected to lever 28 at 35a passes through the opening `35b in the partition between the chamber 26 and outlet chamber 36 and is connected to the bellows 31 which is resiliently urged to expanded position by spring 38.

Porous plug 2I is mounted in the partition- 'I'he operation of the device of Fig. 3 islasfollows:

Assuming that the diaphragm and bellows are liliv 28, 34 .and 38 are so designed that -the valve,

I4 is maintained closed at4 the external pressure at which it is desired to begin the supply of oxygen. A

At this desired pressure, the pressure in the outlet chamber 36 and chamber 26 will be equal and equal to the external pressure. .The pressure on bellows 31. is therefore zero. The pressure exerted on diaphragm 33 `and the torque produced thereby will be just counterbalanced by the torque produced by the springs 34, 38. No force will be exerted by the lever 29' and the valve I4 will be maintained closed by spring 28.

Upon a decrease in external pressure the pressure in outlet chamber 36 will assume this new value. A differential pressure will then exist upon bellows 31 as the pressure in chamber 26 remains the same as previously. The' upward force exerted von bellows 31 will produce a clockwise movement of lever 23 thereby depressing spring 28 and allowing valve I4 to open to thereby supply oxygento the porous plug 2| and bymeans of pipe 22 supply oxygen to the consuming device. v

As the pressure in chamber 26 rises, the force on diaphragm 33 will increase, thereby exerting a counter-clockwise torque on lever 29 until the torque due to bellows 31 is counterbalanced and the valve is again closed. A slight reduction in the pressure in either chamber 26 or outlet chamber 36 will cause valve I3 to open. The flow, therefore, may be so regulated as to maintain a, constant dierential of pressure between the chamber andv outlet chamber, and the average pressure will remain substantially constant at the desiredvalue. At smaller external pressures the action is similar. The spring 28 and the springs within diaphragms 33 and 31 are so designed that valve I4 opens when the average ofthe pressure in 'chamber 26 and outlet chamber 36 falls the'slightest amount below po,

whereby p1 plus p2 is maintained equal to 2pc and linear function of Equation 3 is obtained so that a direct linear function will be maintained between the flow and the atmospheric pressure.

When the sum .of the chamber and of the outlet chamber pressures is maintained constant within a range of 4 cm.` of Hg, the present specications for oxygen regulators can be satised with plugs of a porosity corresponding to valuesl Means are thus provided whereby the pres-` sure on one side of a porous plug is maintained constant or the average pressure on vthe two sides of said plug is maintained constant whereby an approximate linearity anda true linearity of iiow with changes inpressure due to changes in altitude are obtained. f

Although but two embodiments of the in- ,vention' have been illustrated and described, furwill now appear to those skilled in the art. may

be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Reference is, therefore, to

had tothev appended claims for a definition of the limits of the invention.

The inventiondescribed herein may be man- ..ufactured and/or used by or for the Government of the United States of America for govemmental purposes without the royalties thereon or therefor.-

What is claimed is: b

1. A gas ow regulator comprising Aa casing, means forming` an inlet to said casingVvalve means controlling said inlet, pressure responsive means, differential pressure responsive means 'cooperating with said pressure responsive means to control said valve means, and a, porous element controlling the flow from said casing.

2. In a device of the character described, a casing, an inlet to saidV casing, an outlet from said casing, a partition separating said casing into two chambers, a porous element providing a passage through said partition, a diaphragm in one chamber, resilient vmeans urging said diaphragm to an extended position, valve means controlling the inlet to said casing, a lever,

payment of any means pivotally mounting said lever in said one chamber, said diaphragm.' being connected to said lever for actuation thereof, a second diaphragm mounted in the other "chamber, means whereby the pressure in said one chamber is operative upon one side of said second. diaphragm, and means connecting said second diaphragm with said lever whereby said valve is controlled by the cumulative effects of the pressures in both said chambers.

-3. In a device of the character described, a casing, an inlet to said casing, an outlet therefrom, a partition in said casing, means providing a passage through said partition, an opening in said-partition, a diaphragm ymounted over said opening on one side of said partition, a second diaphragm mounted in the chamber formed between the casing and the other side oi said partition, a valve controlling saict inlet, and means lwhereby said diaphragmsv control the movement of said valve.

4. In a device of the character: described, a casing, a partition in said casing, an inltto said casing, an outlet therefrom, a porous element mounted to provide a plurality of minute direction changing passages through said partition, an opening in said partition, a diaphragm mounted .over said opening and on-one side. of said partition, resilient means urging said diaphragm away from said opening, a second 'diaphragm lmounted in the chamber formed between the other side of said partition and said casing, a valve controlling said inlet, lever means controlling said valve and connections between 4said diaphragms and lever means wherebythe motion of said valve is .controlled by said diaphragms.

5. A gas ow regulator comprising a casing, means forming an inlet to said casing, valve means cooperating with said inlet, means responsive to changes in pressurecontrolling said valve means, and' a flow-retarding porous element having a selected porosity providing a plulrality of irregular direction ,changing paths for controlling the iiow of a gas from saidcasing,

- ,the porosity of said element being so selected that a linear relation is obtained between changes y in pressure and the rate of flow of gas through said element. L

casing Ahaving `an inlet and an outlet, a valve controlling said inlet,4 an aneroid, means connecting said aneroid and valve whereby said valvelis actuated by pressure changes within the casing, -a porous diiuser element having a selected porosity providing a plurality of direction changing paths, and means mounting said Yporous element in the outlet of said casing Wherebyfthe rate of flow therefrom is controlled in a linear relation to the changes in pressure external of said casing by virtue of the 'selected porosity of said element. f v '1. A gas now regulator comprising a porous ow-retarding'element having a selected porosity providing a plurality'of direction changing paths and. exposed to a changing pressure on one side, lmeans supplying gas under pressure' to the other side thereof, andY means responsive to the combined pressures on the two sides of said porous element whereby the average of said pressures is maintained constant, the porosity of said element being so selected that a linear lrelation is obtained between changes in the pressure 'on the oneside of saidelement and the rate of ilow of gas through said element.

8. An. oxygen regulator comprising a porous diffuser elenient having selected porosity providling a plurality of direction changing paths and kexposed to a changing atmospheric pressure on one saide thereof, means controlling the iiow of oxygen under pressure to the other side of said element, and means exposed to the pressures on both sides of said element whereby the sums of the pressures on both sides of. said element are maintained constant, the porosity of said element being so selected that a linear relation is obtained between the changes in atmospheric pressure and the rate of -ow of oxygen through -said'porous element.

9, in a device of t e character described, a casing having an inlet, a valve controlling said inlet, pressure responsive means controlling said valve, and an aluminum oxide plug having a selected porosity providing an outlet from said casing, the porosity ofv said plug being so seselected porosity providing an outlet from said casing, the porosity of said plug being so selected that a linear relation is obtained between changes in pressure external of the casing and the rate of flow of a gas through said plug.

11. A gas regulator comprising a casing having an inlet, a valve controlling said inlet, pressure responsive means controlling said valve, andv an outlet from said casing comprising means providingv a plurality of capillaries in parallel and so constructed and arranged that a linear relation is obtained between changes in pressure external of the casing and the rate of ow of a gas through said outlet.

12; In a device of the class described, a casing having an inlet comprising a valve seat, an outlet .from said casing comprising a porous member having a selectedv porosity vproviding a pluralityof minute interstlces, a diaphragm within said casing, a lever connected to saiddiaphragm for actuation thereby,a resilient element for opposing the movement of said lever by said diaphragm, and a valve carried by said lever and cooperating with said valve seat to open and close said inlet upon changes in pressure within said casing, the porosity of said porous member being so selected that a linear relation is obtained between changes in pressure lexternal of the casing and the rate of ilow of a gas through said porous member.

13. A gas ilow regulator comprising a porous crystalline element having a selected porosity and exposed to a changing pressure on one side thereof, and means supplying gas to the other side of said element to cause said gas to ow therethrough, the crystalline structure and porosity of said element being so selected that the rate of flow of gas therethrough is approximately a linear function of changes in pressure on the` one side thereof.

14. An oxygen regulator comprising a casing,

having an inlet through which oxygen enters said casing, and an outlet through which the oxygen passes out of said casing, said outlet comprising a porous plug having a selected porosity providing a plurality of direction changing passages, the porosity of said plug being so selected that the rate of iiow of oxygen from said casing through said plug is a linear :functiony of changes in atmospheric pressure.

DANIEL P. JOHNSON. 

